Hannover, Germany Christmas Market!

Christmas Markets in Austria! Vienna!

Check out these Cannolis!

We saw these Cannolis in Austria!

Sorry Mimi it looks like you got some competition this year!

Going home for Christmas!

We are starting to pack because we are going home for Christmas! This will probably be my last post until after the holidays, so Happy Holidays to all!!!!



Even though we will not be here we could not do without a tree. So, our tree is small, but the heart and spirit that was put into was not.















These are the kids advent calendars. They used them to count down until we go home. The ones in the back were new for us this year. I had never seen them in the States, although they may have them. They have little toys in each day. It makes it fun!

Christmas Cookies!

Here are some cookies that I made at my cooking class!

Today is St. Nicholas Day!
St. Nicholas Day is widely celebrated here in Germany and many other European countries. It is a common tradition to put candies and fruits in the shoes of the children on this day. The things that you see in the picture were placed outside of our door near our shoes this morning (by a dear friend and one of St. Nicholas's helpers).
There are a variety of chocolates inside the stockings. Yum Yum

At the fish market in Venice!

A train ride through the Swiss Alps!

We took a train called "The Bernina Express" that went from Tirino Italy to St. Moritz Switzerland. Here are some pictures.









This was taken while driving past Lake Como!









A little village along the way!















Beautiful blue waters and ice capped mountains.
































Watch out for trees!
























In St. Moritz Switzerland!









Taking the road down one of the mountains while heading back to Italy!

Relaxation!

Sometimes it is just so relaxing and completely necessary to ex-foliate.

Bowling

A few months ago we ventured off to a bowling alley with some wonderful friends to celebrate a birthday!
The bowling alley was cool. It had a summer/Hawaiian theme. Here are two pictures of the kids hanging out at the bar after a hard game of bowling. Drinking age is earlier here(16). Although, only colas were served to these minors (of course and thank god), but I know it was fun for them to be hanging out at the high seats with the colas rolling down the bar table.

To the Market, to the Market Jiggity Jig!

Do you remember that nursery rhyme. I sing it every time I go to the markets. Markets are big here in Germany. They are several through out the city. There is one twice a week that is just about two blocks from our apartment. It has several vendors that set up from early morning to around a little after lunch. Some vendors are the same every week and some are different. They sell things like fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads and flowers.
The other day I tried to ask for a Thanksgiving turkey. I tried to use German and I think I asked for what would be equivalent to a 40 lb. turkey by mistake. I was so busy trying to speak in German that I got the pound thing all screwed up! Apparently they do not sell 40lb. turkeys here. Who knew!




One day I will get you some pictures of the market itself, but today I have some other market pictures to show you.
First, I am showing you the picture of the basket I bring. I got this in the US, and it is wonderful for the markets.
Second, I am showing you a picture of the eggs. They eggs are wonderful here. Sometimes you can still see the feathers on the eggs. That is OK with me. It means fresh and chemical free!!!!

Festivals!

This is a common stand at a festival in Germany. Candy galore and gingerbread heart cookies "lebkuchenherzen"! They are always decorated so beautifully. They have messages written in frosting. The ones in this picture say "Ich liebe dich" or I love you. The great news is that they taste wonderful too! The gingerbread is soft and delicious.

Always my daughter now too my friend!

Missing and loving my mom every day!

Hannah feeding the pigeons in Venice!

Tirano Italy

Tirano is part of the Valtellina Valley of Lombardy, in Northern Italy. We headed her to catch a train trough Switzerland.














This is a pilgrimage Church called Basilica Madonna di Tirano. During the time of the Western European plague a man named Mario Degli Omodei had a vision to build a sanctuary for travelers. This is it!









The Virgin Mary in the Church!

















Having Gilati's in Tirano in front of the beautiful Bermina Hotel.

Playing with the Puzzles! "Das Spiel mit den Ratseln"

Family Photo in Verona!

Even More of Verona!

These are the steps leading up to the top of the Lamberti Tower in Verona.













This is the view from the top of the Lamberti Tower.









This is the facade of the Mazzanti House. It has 16th century mythological frescoes on it.














This is outside of the Arena.

More of Verona!

Here is a picture of Tannere at Castelvecchio, which used to be the castle of San Martino. The castle was built to provide external and internal defense. Do you recall ever seeing in movies castles that had very high walls with a stoop or walkway all around the top brim(without railings) so that men could be on the lookout for intruders. This had that. It looked scary to me. One little slip on a pebble and things would not be looking good.
















Here is a picture of Hannah outside of Ponte Scaligero. It is a famous bridge that is part of the castle.
















Here is a picture of Hannah standing outside of the Castel with the beautiful Fiume Adige behind her.

October Break!

The weather has been a little funky here, so after we made some American style taco's we went to an indoor play place with another American family that we are really happy to have meet! They have trampolines everywhere here and the monster's mouth closes about every three minutes or so!

Verona

Have you seen the 2010 movie "Letters to Juliet"? This movie takes place in Verona. Verona is like a "diamond in the rough". It is town that is on the way from Milan to Venice. It is famous for it's Shakespearean influence. The house of Romeo and the house of Juliet are both in Verona. Juliet's house has a balcony, a statue of Juliet outside and a museum inside. People often leave letters to loved ones at Juliet's house. Inside the museum you can leave letters to Juliet and get responses.
These are pictures of us inside the museum and on Juliet's balcony.











Verona also has a huge arena. It is the third largest arena in Italy. Visitors can go to see Opera's inside the arena during Opera season and when the arena is not is use visitors can walk around in the inside of the arena. These are pictures of Tannere and Hannah on the inside of the arena.